The Bobcat Nation

I doubted these Bobcats-seriously doubted they could win today. I admit it-I wasn't a very good fan after last week. I hope they'll all forgive me.

What terrific ballgame. The Bison are very good, the Bobcats are very good. The result: a very good game. Here's a thought: When we played South Dakota State last year and NDSU this year we had a big bunch of fans from the visiting teams (both numbering in the thousands). When we play Portland State or Sac State in Bozeman we're visited by a tiny group of parents and girl friends for the visiting team. You tell me-what direction should the Big Sky go in?

My hats off to the Bison and their amazing quarterback. What a competitor. We should play the Bison in Fargo-but maybe after that kid graduates! Also hats off to their band, and wonderful fans. I saw lots friendly banter between Bison and Bobcats-hopefully they were treated well-they deserved to be. They had a couple of pretty impressive tailgate parties going on. Too bad it's so cloudy, I was hoping we could show off our mountains-maybe next time.

Hats off to our Bobcat fans. The stadium was actually about 3/4 full before the kickoff. I don't think I've ever seen that (with the exception of Cat-griz). The crowd was into it the whole way and helped lift the team to the win.

As for the game. A turnover against the Bison is gold-getting a touchdown off it is priceless. Just the start we needed. Here's to Bobby Daly-a stud for the future.

I think our pass rush was hurt big time with the loss of Clive Lowe. I think he could have had a big day against NDSU's big thick (but maybe a little bit slower) players.

Gatewood caught all those hostipal balls-amazing. Without him we lose big.

Murray had the best drop of his career on that TD-what a fortunate play for us.

Does Lulay have small hands or something? I haven't seen a quarterback put the ball on the ground so much since Dave Craig of the Seattle Seahawks (it was reported Craig had small hands which led to a lot of fumbles). I still wouldn't trade Lulay for anyone. When the game is on the line he's the guy you want.

Good to see Domineck get the TD, but when he bounced outside I had nightmares of EWU in overtime last season. He tried to do that against the Eagles and was stuffed.

Now a word of caution. This team needs to avoid the roller-coaster. Idaho State may not have the reputation of NDSU-but our team should know they're dang tough. It's going to take another huge effort to beat the Bengals. Let's hope the players stay humble and focused. We can't lose at home!

Does Lulay have small hands or something? I haven't seen a quarterback put the ball on the ground so much since Dave Craig of the Seattle Seahawks (it was reported Craig had small hands which led to a lot of fumbles). I still wouldn't trade Lulay for anyone. When the game is on the line he's the guy you want.

He almost never fumbles. Even the best players can get stripped, which is what happened. I have seen Travis' hands and they are bigger than average. JD is one who knows how to put it on the ground.

One more thing it is Dave Krieg.

I hate to be the devil's advocate, but I think we're lucky we'll pulled this out. HOW many 3rd down conversions did we give to NDSU? UGLY! I give the Cats kudos for pulling it out, but we need some consistancy to go into the long run. It was beautiful seeing Gatewood back (and open!) and I'm optimistic, but I'm wishing for less stress in the next couple of weeks!

Yes we definately squeeked it out but it was not too bad after losing C. Lowe and Mac. Tough to stop a good run team without our two best linebackers who also blitz the passer well.

I know this said alot but it is really true today. "The D bent but didn't break for the most part."

peedintunnel wrote: He almost never fumbles.

Maybe he's just been unlucky, but all the dropped snaps (none today thank goodness) the fumble at OSU, the fumble in the end zone at Cal Poly, and today's fumble made me wonder.

I think the fumble today may have just been a case of trying a little too hard at the end of the run instead of tucking it away. Too bad-we really had a nice drive going there.

No matter-we won!

Idaho State beat EWU 34-30 today. That ought to make everyone take notice. They'll be lots of Bengal fans coming up Gallatin Canyon next week. Can Kramer actually win 2 homecomings in a row? Wouldn't that be something?

Speaking of third downs: I think Dan Davies said we were 12-16 on third down and they were 10-18. Both teams were tough to stop. They did send us 3 and out a couple of times-whereas I think we only got them 3 and out once, but that was Daly's interception.

Here's some stats:

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/boxscore?gid=200509240117

A little over 13,000 in attendance. That's pretty good considering the weather. It was pretty dang cold-the wind had some bite to it.

BISON fan here. Good game. I havent watched it on tape yet, but it was a great game. You have a good team. Lulay and Gatewood are two to draw on. Great short passing game. That 92 yd drive was unbelievable. This series, at least in the modern era, which is what we are in now, will be even after your visit to Fargo, at least I think it will now! You guys got the prize. Great game. You won respect today.

How bad was Lowe hurt? I thought he came back in the game.

Need to find a pass rush before conference play.

ISU has looked good but today against EWU they had four short drives (6 yards - 30 yards) due to EWU turnovers. There overall numbers were not that good. They also gave up 500 yards of offense.

I heard today that MAC is going to take a redshirt this year and be back next year.

Lulay has had critical fumbles (cost us the OSU game) in three games. They replayed the one today over and over and I never saw it get stripped. It just popped out.

If we don't get a pass rush by Cat/Griz Washington may throw for 125 yards.

RyeCat wrote:I hate to be the devil's advocate, but I think we're lucky we'll pulled this out. HOW many 3rd down conversions did we give to NDSU? UGLY! I give the Cats kudos for pulling it out, but we need some consistancy to go into the long run. It was beautiful seeing Gatewood back (and open!) and I'm optimistic, but I'm wishing for less stress in the next couple of weeks!

IN fact, we were better on 3rd down conv than NDSU was (according to espn.com). We were 12 of 16 to NDSU's 10 of 18, just some food for thought. I'm still pissed about that 4th and 19 play though - somebody hit the FRIGGIN QB.

As a side note, on the play before the 4th and 19, if Rogers hadn't batted the ball down, Hunter would have intercepted the pass, probably for a TD. He read the QB perfectly.

But, who cares - WE WON!!

The QB should almost never lead all rushers. This is the second time in four games.

It was hard to tell listening and not watching... it seemed that everytime they needed a third down conversion Walker was able to complete a pass in front of our secondary. What's missing? Pressure on the ball or sloppy secondary play (or both)?

I thought Verlanic did well for his first start and his light weight. Again, listening I wasn't able to evaluate his effectiveness on blocking assignments. But, there was not one muffed QB/Center exchange. I also heard Kramer in the post game interview say the Berkland would be back in next week. My question, is bulk and experience worth the ball on the carpet?

2Cats wrote:The QB should almost never lead all rushers. This is the second time in four games.

It was hard to tell listening and not watching... it seemed that everytime they needed a third down conversion Walker was able to complete a pass in front of our secondary. What's missing? Pressure on the ball or sloppy secondary play (or both)?

I thought Verlanic did well for his first start and his light weight. Again, listening I wasn't able to evaluate his effectiveness on blocking assignments. But, there was not one muffed QB/Center exchange. I also heard Kramer in the post game interview say the Berkland would be back in next week. My question, is bulk and experience worth the ball on the carpet?

We haven't had a running game (outside of Lulay) since Ryan Johnson. Take that Krames!

2Cats wrote:The QB should almost never lead all rushers. This is the second time in four games.

It was hard to tell listening and not watching... it seemed that everytime they needed a third down conversion Walker was able to complete a pass in front of our secondary. What's missing? Pressure on the ball or sloppy secondary play (or both)?

I thought Verlanic did well for his first start and his light weight. Again, listening I wasn't able to evaluate his effectiveness on blocking assignments. But, there was not one muffed QB/Center exchange. I also heard Kramer in the post game interview say the Berkland would be back in next week. My question, is bulk and experience worth the ball on the carpet?

Walker would be forced out of the pocket, giving him a grand total of about 7 seconds per play to throw the ball. I don't care how good your secondary is, that much time and SOMEONE is going to get open... and they almost always did. Our pass rush forced him out a lot but we only sacked him once I believe. We need to find a pass rush, its okay right now vs these run-oriented teams, but the BSC isn't a run-oriented league.

Bison fan here. That was one heck of a game! Wow! Some of you are talking about how it was a minor upset for Montana but I think it would have been up upset for us being on the road. We are only in our 2nd season of D1AA, but I think the best D2 teams can compete with most D1AA teams. It's clear when we beat Montana 3 years ago as a D2 team, with half the scholorships.

I hope we continue to play each other because this could become one heck of a rivaly. 2 great teams. It makes good sense geographically too. I mean, we are neighboring states, right? I was bummed out when the Big Sky didn't accept NDSU but I can understand the financial aspect. I think if either Montana or Montana State come to NDSU, it would be a packed house. We could see a good 16,000 plus or more!

As far as our running game goes... It just doesn't seem like Bass gets a whole lot of carries. Or Dom for that matter. What is the most carries one of our RB's has had since Ryno? I guess you want the ball in the hands of your best player... whose that? Lulay. Don't get me wrong, tho, I'd like to see us try to establish the run a bit more.

As far as the fumbles go, I have to agree that Travis doesn't straight-out fumble very much. The one yesterday was a rarity. As far as the miffed snaps go, it's easy to see if you watch any film that the balls never even got to Travis. It's hard not to fumble the snap if the center doesn't put it in your hands.

As far as a rushing attack, it seems like Kramer is now content to pass 4 or 5 yards to compensate for that. Bass only had 11 carries, which isn't enough for him. He has the ability to go all the way, but he needs carries. Also, I don't like JD, I may be the only one, but he scares me every time he touches the ball. I would much rather see Evin Groves in there, anyday. JD also fumbled the ball on the final kickoff to us.

gtapp wrote: If we don't get a pass rush by Cat/Griz Washington may throw for 125 yards.

But if he doesn't turn the ball over, Griz still win!

Say, what do ya think of the Vikes now that Moss has taken his "bad boy self" to Oakland? Has he gotten arrested there yet or has he achieved his goal of finding a place to fit in?

RyeCat wrote:I hate to be the devil's advocate, but I think we're lucky we'll pulled this out. HOW many 3rd down conversions did we give to NDSU? UGLY! I give the Cats kudos for pulling it out, but we need some consistancy to go into the long run. It was beautiful seeing Gatewood back (and open!) and I'm optimistic, but I'm wishing for less stress in the next couple of weeks!

How about that 4th and 19 at the end of the game. I think I had a mild heart attack.

Hehehee, if you guys a ticked about how many third downs NDSU converted, you have a tiny glimmering of how Bison fan feel. You guys seemed unstoppable on offense and I think that NDSU was kind of fortunate to keep the Bobcats to 20 points. Heck, I didn't think Lulay was going to throw an incomplete pass all day - he played a great game and didn't seem to make any obvious mistakes, although I haven't seen the tape on the fumble.

It's funny that you Bobcat fans seem more upset than NDSU fans today. I thought our D could stop you somewhere along the way on that 90+ yard drive but if NDSU has a weakness right now, it's lack of depth, especially on the defensive line, and I think it showed in the fourth quarter and especially on that last drive. The offensive line will be OK soon but it's going to be an ongoing battle to get good starters, much less depth, on the defensive line.

The TV guy from Fargo pointed out NDSU's lack of depth on defensive line. That's something will get better as your young scholarship players mature.

I still think it's incredible that Lulay was able to lead MSU to a 92 yard game winning touchdown drive against a defensive first unit that had not given up a single touchdown all season (see Dumas' article in today's Chronicle).

My theory on the lack of quarterback pressure: we're basically playing against a Ty Detmer type of quarterback. They want us to pin our ears back and go after him. Then he makes a move or two and flips the ball to Steffes or whoever for a big gain. Just ask Weber State. Our strategy was to keep everything in front of us. Thus Steffes get his 100 plus yards, but he had to do it in 3 and 4 yard chunks. Our secondary was never burned deep-even though they tried a couple of times (first offensive play of the game). I think our defense did a good job of being conservative and bending and not breaking. As for the 4th and forever they got at the end-I just chalk it up to a great play by the NDSU players-that kid had to really go down to catch that pass-we didn't make it easy .

The other reason for our lack of pressure-no Clive Lowe or Mac Mollohan. We don't have anyone even close to the physical talents of Clive Lowe in pass rush. We need him back.

I agree completely with the visiting fan concept. Let's let the west teams play in the Big West and the mountain teams play in the BIG SKY!!!